Corner guard for covering a wall corner junction

ABSTRACT

A corner guard providing protection for tiles attached proximal of a corner junction formed by an intersection of side walls. The corner guard includes an edge guard bent to cover a portion of the intersection of side walls proximally above the corner junction. The edge guard includes a base end configured to be releasably attached to each side wall proximal to the tiles. A ledge is formed integrally with said edge guard base end with the ledge extended a sufficient width laterally for protective covering of an upper portion of the tiles. A tile cover integrally depends from the ledge and is sized and angled to substantially cover the tiles proximal of the corner junction. The tile cover protectively covers the tiles and deflects impacts directed toward the tiles while the edge guard protects the wall edges above the corner junction from impacts directed toward the wall edges.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application is a Continuation of prior application Ser. No. 10/612,124, filed on Jul. 2, 2003.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention pertains to a corner guard for covering a corner of a baseboard. More particularly, this invention pertains to a corner guard installed over tiles attached proximal of a corner junction of side walls

2. Description of the Related Art

In congested indoor areas, such as in commercial facilities including restaurants and convention meeting facilities, ceramic or plastic tiles are positioned to cover corner junctions along the baseboard of the intersection of walls. For areas experiencing a significant amount of cart traffic, the ceramic or plastic tiles are bumped by cart wheels and cart corners and are readily damaged if not protected. Once damaged, the tiles covering the corner junction will crack and/or separate from the wall, thereby allowing adjacent tiles to separate from the wall and allowing further damage to the baseboard and corner junction of side walls until repaired.

Prior art tiles are configured to fit in abutting end-to-end or overlapping relationship along the exterior base of a wall surface. Prior art tiles are positioned to cover a corner junction of the intersection of walls and typically have a base portion resting on a floor surface or on carpet extended proximal to the corner junction. Prior art tiles are frequently bumped by cart wheels to create cracks therein, and/or become separated from the corner junction by repeated impacts from cart wheels and cart corners. When prior art tiles separate from the corner junction, the adjacent tiles are disrupted in a domino-type effect and are dislodged from covering the baseboard of either or both walls adjacent the corner junction.

A need exists for a protective corner guard configured to cover tiles attached to and extending outwardly from a wall corner junction while providing a corner guard that does not detract from the aesthetics of the tiles. A need also exists for providing a protective corner guard constructed of a resilient material sufficient to deflect repetitive impacts from cart wheels and cart side supports, and/or other impacts directed against a corner junction of the adjacent walls in a commercial facility.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a corner guard is disclosed for providing protection for tiles attached proximal of a corner junction formed by an intersection of side walls. The corner guard further provides protection for the wall edges above the corner junction. The corner guard includes an edge guard bent to cover a portion of the intersection of side walls proximally above the corner junction. The edge guard includes a base end configured to be releasably attached to each side wall proximal of the corner junction. A ledge is formed integrally with the edge guard base end, and the ledge is extended a sufficient width laterally for protective covering of an upper portion of the corner tiles. A tile cover integrally depends from the ledge and is sized and angled to substantially cover the tiles attached proximal of the corner junction. The tile cover protects the corner tiles by deflecting impacts directed toward the corner tiles, thereby minimizing tile damage and maximizing the useful life of the tiles. The edge guard is attached to cover the intersecting surfaces side walls above the corner junction, thereby protecting the covered edges from impacts by cart side supports pushed against the intersecting side walls above tiles covering the corner junction of the walls.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned features of the invention will become more clearly understood from the following detailed description of the invention read together with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a corner guard of the present invention, illustrating installation over a corner junction of tiles positioned at an intersection of side walls;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the corner guard of FIG. 1, illustrating an upper portion, a ledge, and a lower portion of the corner guard;

FIG. 3 is a top view of FIG. 2, illustrating the upper portion including an edge guard separated by a ledge integrally connecting to a lower portion including a tile cover extending below the ledge;

FIG. 4 is a side view of FIG. 2, illustrating a first side of the tile cover and edge guard;

FIG. 5 is a side view of FIG. 2, illustrating a second side of the tile cover and edge guard; and

FIG. 6 is a section view along 6-6 of FIG. 1, illustrating a section of an installed corner guard covering tiles attached proximal of the corner junction and covering side wall edge surfaces above the tiles.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A corner guard 10 is disclosed for providing protection for tiles 14, 16 attached proximal of a corner junction 12 formed by an intersection of side walls 20, 20′. Protection of the tiles 14, 16 attached proximal of each corner junction 12 in a commercial facility such as a restaurant is needed to minimize damage and separation of the tiles 14, 16 attached at the corner junctions 12 in areas where carts may frequently impact the tiles 14, 16.

A typical wall corner intersection is illustrated at 18 in FIG. 1. For installation of plasterboard serving as walls for commercial facility rooms and hallways, each corner intersection 18 will have a length of a metal or a plastic edge strip 18′ attached to cover the abutting corner edges of the side walls 20, 20′ from the floor to the ceiling. The edge strip 18′ provides a smooth corner edge for caulking and for applying paint or wallpaper thereon. It is preferable that the abutting wall corner edges are protected by a barrier of sufficient height to minimize the chipping and tearing of the wall corner edges due to repetitive impacts from carts.

The corner guard 10 includes the following features that provide a readily installed protective cover for tiles attached proximal of the corner junction 12. A cover guard upper portion includes an edge guard 30 that is bent in an angled configuration to form sides 32, 34 of sufficient width to cover a portion of the intersection 18 of the side walls 20, 20′ above the corner junction 12. A base of the edge guard 30 is extended laterally to form a ledge that extends a selected width to a tile cover 22 that is integrally depending from the ledge. The width of the ledge includes first and second surfaces 24″, 26″ that are laterally extended from each respective base end 32′, 34′ of the edge guard 30. The tile cover 22 includes side segments 24, 26 that are angled apart from each other and are sized to substantially cover the respective tiles 14, 16 adjacently positioned at the intersection 18. The tile cover 22 provides a protective cover for the tiles 14, 16 in order to deflect impacts directed toward the tiles by a cart wheel 50 of a portable cart typically utilized in a restaurant or a convention meeting facility. Upon proper installation of a corner guard 10 with the tile cover 22 covering each corner tile 14, 16, recurring impacts from cart wheels and cart corners are deflected away from the tiles 14, 16, thereby minimizing damage to the tiles, minimizing separation of tiles from each corner junction 12, and maximizing the useful life of the tiles 14, 16.

Additional benefits of the configuration of the edge guard 30 include the following elements as illustrated for the first and second attaching members 32, 34 in FIGS. 2-5. In the illustrated embodiment, the attaching members 32, 34 are flat members separated by a gap along a vertical, or longitudinal, axis 36. In another embodiment, the attaching members 32, 34 are bent along a midline 36. The attaching members 32, 34 are positioned to provide an angle of separation 28 that allows each attaching member 32, 34 to cover respective corner edges of walls 20, 20′, thereby protecting each corner edge from cart impacts directed toward a lower portion of the intersection of walls 20, 20′. The attaching members 32, 34 are generally elongated in a longitudinal orientation and extend from the base end 32′, 34′ to a distal end 36′, 36″ for a length of about ten inches to about twenty inches. A preferred length for the first and second attaching members 32, 34 is about eighteen inches from the respective base ends 32′, 34′ to the respective distal ends 36′, 36″.

A preferred angle of orientation between the respective interior surfaces of the side members 32, 34, and between the respective interior surfaces 24′′, 26′′ of the tile cover side segments 24, 26, is approximately ninety degrees as illustrated at 28 in FIG. 3. Alternate angles of orientation can be readily provided for covering side walls intersecting at a junction that is less than or greater than a ninety angle. The first and second attaching members 32, 34 are extended longitudinally above the ledge first and second surfaces 24″, 26″. The first and second attaching members 32, 34 are generally rigid, but, because of the gap along vertical axis 36 and the nature of flat sheets, are sufficiently flexible to accommodate walls 20, 20′ that intersect at an angle other than 90°. In another embodiment, the attaching members 32, 34 are constructed of a metal having a sufficient thickness to allow bending at midline 36 in order to modify the angle of orientation of the respective attaching member 32, 34 to accommodate wall junctions that are curved or that intersect at an angle other than ninety degrees. Alternative materials for the attaching member 32, 34 can be selected from generally rigid polymeric materials that can be trimmed in length and width. The attaching members 32, 34 include a plurality of spaced apart connector holes 32″, 32′′, 34″, 34′′, through which connectors 32′″ , 34′″ are inserted for attaching first attaching member 32 to side wall 20 and for attaching second attaching member 34 to side wall 20′. In the illustrated embodiment, the width of the attaching member 32, 34 is less than the overall width of ledge first and second surfaces 24″, 26″ as illustrated by the set-back distance 38′ in FIG. 3 of approximately one-half inch to about seven-sixteenths inch from the distal ends of each respective tile cover side segments 24, 26.

Additional benefits of the configuration of the ledge and tile cover 22 include the following elements that provide protection from impacts for the corner tiles 14, 16. The upper portion of each tile is protected by the ledge surfaces 24″, 26″ that are laterally extended as illustrated by offset 38 in FIG. 3, for approximately one-half inch to about five-eighths inch from the base ends 32′, 34′ of the edge guard 30. A preferred offset 38 is about nine-sixteenths of an inch. The tile cover 22 includes tile cover side segments 24, 26 that are extended from outer corner edge 22′ in generally opposing directions in a substantially ninety degree orientation for covering of each corner tile 14, 16. The width of extension of the side segments 24, 26 from corner edge 22′ can range from about two inches to about three inches. Alternative embodiments having greater widths for side segments 24, 26 are readily provided in order to also provide tile protection for various widths of adjacently positioned tiles 14′, 16′ (see FIG. 1). A depth of about one-half inch to about five-eights inch provides an adequate offset 38 to allow the exterior faced surfaces 24′, 26′ to cover the tiles 14, 16 while being set apart from the respective outwardly faced surfaces of each base 32′, 34′ of the edge guard 30 installed along a portion of the intersection 18 of walls 20, 20′. The downward length extension of each side segment 24, 26 is selected to match the general height of the tiles 14, 16 being covered, minus about an inch in length to accommodate tiles that are curved outwards as illustrated at 12 in FIG. 6.

The tile cover 22 is preferably composed of a generally continuous layer of metal having a thickness of approximately 18 gauge steel. Alternative gauges and materials for tile cover 22 and/or edge guard 30 can be utilized to provide a generally rigid guard while allowing cutting to various sizes. The preferred material is stainless steel in order to provide a protective cover for the tiles 14, 16, while providing aesthetically pleasing exterior surfaces and also allowing for limited trimming and bending to accommodate curved, squared, or multi-faceted corner tiles (not shown).

The positioning and orientation of the corner guard 10 provides protection for the tiles 14, 16 from being impacted by cart wheels 50. The orientation of the tile cover exterior surfaces 24′, 26′ have an adequate offset 38 from the respective connecting members 32, 34 to cover a variety of widths of the upper portions of tiles 14, 16 installed at the corner junction 12. Additional benefits provided by the corner guard 10 include an easily installed device for covering tiles 14, 16 adjacently disposed at a corner junction 12 of two adjacent walls 20, 20′ composed of plasterboard or similar building materials. Further, the corner guard 10 is composed of a generally rigid material such as metal that can be appropriately bent and angled to protectively cover the tiles 14, 16 regardless of whether the angle of separation of the respective tiles is greater than, or smaller than about ninety degrees. In addition, if the tiles covering the corner junction are arcuately shaped, the curvature of the tile cover 22 can be adjusted by bending each side segment 24, 26 to a curvature that provides for adequate coverage of each tile 14, 16 connected at corner junction 12.

While the present invention has been illustrated by description of several embodiments and while the illustrative embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicant's general inventive concept. 

1. A corner guard for covering a portion of at least one protruding tile positioned along a baseboard of two intersecting walls forming an outside corner, the at least one protruding tile having a pair of surfaces substantially planar, but offset from, the corresponding surfaces of the two intersecting walls, comprising: an edge guard having a first attaching member and a second attaching member, said first attaching member and said second attaching member each being generally planar, said first attaching member and said second attaching member adapted to fit on the two intersecting walls of the outside corner, said first attaching member separated from said second attaching member along a longitudinal axis; a ledge attached to an edge guard base end, said ledge extending outwardly from said edge guard; and a tile cover having a first segment and a second segment, said first and second segments substantially planar, said tile cover attached to an outer edge of said ledge with said first segment generally parallel to and offset from said first attaching member of said edge guard and with said second segment generally parallel to and offset from said second attaching member of said edge guard; whereby said tile cover is adapted to protectively cover the at least one protruding tile thereby deflecting impacts directed toward the at least one protruding tile and minimizing damage to the at least one protruding tile.
 2. The corner guard of claim 1 wherein said first segment and said second segment of said tile cover each have a width and an angle therebetween for covering a portion of the at least one protruding tile, said width being between about two inches and about three inches.
 3. The corner guard of claim 1 wherein said first segment and said second segment of said tile cover each have a lengthwise dimension of between about five inches and about six inches.
 4. The corner guard of claim 1 wherein said first attaching member and said second attaching member of said edge guard include a width for covering at least one inch of each of the two intersecting walls proximal the intersection of the two intersecting walls, said first attaching member and said second attaching member each having a length of between about ten inches and about twenty inches extended longitudinally from said edge guard base end.
 5. The corner guard of claim 1 wherein said ledge includes a width forming a set-back depth of between about one quarter inch to about three quarters inch between said longitudinally oriented edge guard attaching members and said tile cover.
 6. The corner guard of claim 1 wherein said first attaching member and said second attaching member of said edge guard each include at least one opening for receiving a fastener for securing each of said first attaching member and said second attaching member to a corresponding one of the two intersecting walls.
 7. The corner guard of claim 1 wherein said first attaching member and said second attaching member of said edge guard each include a means for securing each of said first attaching member and said second attaching member to a corresponding one of the two intersecting walls.
 8. A corner guard for protecting an outside corner, said corner guard comprising: a means for protecting a portion of at least one tile positioned along a baseboard of two intersecting walls forming the outside corner, said at least one tile having a surface protruding from a parallel surface of one of said two intersecting walls; a means for covering a portion of said two intersecting walls above said at least one tile; and a means for connecting said means for protecting the portion of at least one protruding tile to said means for covering.
 9. The corner guard of claim 8 wherein said means for protecting includes a first edge guard member and a second edge guard member separate from said first edge guard member, said first edge guard member and said second edge guard member each having a substantially planar surface.
 10. The corner guard of claim 8 wherein said means for covering includes a first segment and a second segment joined together along an edge substantially parallel to a vertical axis of an intersection of said two intersecting walls.
 11. The corner guard of claim 8 wherein said means for connecting includes a first ledge member and a second ledge member each being substantially perpendicular to said means for protecting and said means for covering.
 12. The corner guard of claim 8 further including a means for securing said means for connecting to said two intersecting walls.
 13. A corner guard for covering a portion of at least one protruding tile positioned along a baseboard of two intersecting walls forming an outside corner, the at least one protruding tile having a pair of surfaces substantially planar to, but offset from, each of the corresponding surfaces of the two intersecting walls, said corner guard comprising: a tile cover having a first segment and a second segment, said first and second segments substantially planar, said first segment forming a corner with said second segment; a first ledge member connected to a top edge of said first segment of said tile cover, said first ledge member extending inward relative to said corner; a second ledge member connected to a top edge of said second segment of said tile cover, said second ledge member extending inward relative to said corner, said tile cover, said first ledge member, and said second ledge member defining a cavity adapted to receive the at least one protruding tile; a first edge guard member connected to said first ledge member at an end opposite a connection of said first ledge member to said first segment, said first edge guard member being generally planar and parallel to said first segment of said tile cover, said first edge guard member being offset from said first segment of said tile cover; a second edge guard member connected to said second ledge member at an end opposite a connection of said second ledge member to said second segment, said second edge guard member being generally planar and parallel to said first segment of said tile cover, said second edge guard member being offset from said second segment of said tile cover, said first edge guard member not connected to said second edge guard member along a longitudinal axis between said edge guard member and said second edge guard member.
 14. The corner guard of claim 13 wherein said first attaching member and said second attaching member of said edge guard each include at least one opening for receiving a fastener for securing each of said first attaching member and said second attaching member to a corresponding one of the two intersecting walls.
 15. The corner guard of claim 13 wherein said first attaching member and said second attaching member of said edge guard each include a means for securing each of said first attaching member and said second attaching member to a corresponding one of the two intersecting walls. 